Baby Boomer - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

     This is Baby Boomer. It’s an unlicensed light gun Zapper game on the NES. You help Boomer venture safely across traitorous environments, by shooting all hazards and enemies. You must also shoot the milk bottles to keep Boomer from going hungry, and make bridges by shooting clouds and waterways. Collect the gold nuggets to earn a 1up. 

     I don’t mind this game. It’s not that bad, when you play with a controller. If you’re playing this via real hardware with an actual Zapper, well your experience may vary. Its simple gameplay is kinda charming. You only need to memorize and practice to beat this game, and it’s a short one. It’s only 20 minutes long. I see this as another high score game, rather than being invested in Boomers journey. The music can be a little annoying and the enemies can be unfair with their placements, but it’s manageable.

     If you need a short and silly distraction, I wouldn’t mind this one to pass the time. Not the most complicated game, but that’s a part of its charm. The controller is also more reliable than the Zapper, if you’re wondering. Give it a try. 

Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck - SEGA Master System

     Donald Duck is on another adventure to free his Uncle Scrooge from a curse. He travels to an island to find clues and treasures, so he can return a jewel amulet to the island’s stone idol. Select the stage and make your way through obstacles and enemies, to find the treasure clue of that area. 

     The animation of this game is Awesome. Donald looks very fluid and his colors pop right out beautifully. Amazing that this is a Master System game. All the levels are nicely detailed and unique. I am very impressed by the quality of the game. 

     Here’s the thing: Donald’s animation is “TOO” Good. His animations causes a delay when he jumps, so timing and precision is hindered. This is a platform game. It’s kinda important to have accurate jumping in platform games. This was frustrating during my play through. You can get use to it, but it’s still a chore. My other complaint is Donald’s hit box is a little off. Enemies have an unfair advantage on you, because your hit box is too vulnerable. There is also unfair enemy placement. Very typical for games in this era to throw countless enemies at you. It’s very annoying.

     This is almost a perfect game. It has flaws, but it is still playable. If you can adapt to the delayed jumping and have the patience for the enemies, give this game a try. I played worse games, so this is still a fun time in comparison. 

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

     Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. A video game, based on a Saturday Morning American cartoon, based on a spoof horror B-movie from the 1970's. Yes, this is a multi-span decade franchise, and a new movie has released this year in 2026. Quite the accomplishment, for a low budget indie movie. 

THIS GAME IS TERRIBLE. 

Sweet Merciful Crap! I was fighting the stiff controls the whole time! 

And the hit boxes for your character is so janky. Every jump to defeat an enemy is a gamble on your health bar. The jumping is so unreliable too. Jumping has a delay. This has sent me falling off platforms. I just eventually gave up and started running to avoid as many enemies as possible. After I don't know how many game overs I got, I gave up and quit. Terrible!  

     I can't recommend this Janky game. It's a shame, because there's a solid platformer here. This game needed more developed time. It's not the worst game ever. It’s beatable, but you'll be fighting its Jank The whole time. 

DARC - SEGA Master System

     DARC is a homebrew title for the Master System with a lot of heart in it. It’s very simple, but yet fun. You fly around as a jetpack fighter blasting enemies, seeking cores to destroy in an Alien Fortress. The controls are tight, so flying is super easy and fun. There’s linear exploration, but the path forward is always closed off by an objective. Find the core, destroy it and more doors will open onwards. Get upgrades as you defeat each core. It feels like Metroid with a jetpack, especially when you fight one of the cores that is reminiscent of Mother Brain. It is also not easy. But that’s good, because I don’t like games that I can fly by through without any challenges. 

     If you’re looking for something new to play and bored of the official library of games, definitely try this game. It’s easy to play and it’s challenging. Definitely recommended. 

Athena - Nintendo Entertainment System

     Athena on the NES is a mess of a game. To give it a little praise, it’s at least a fateful port of its Arcade version. The graphics are colorfully bright, and the weapons and armor upgrade mechanic is fun. That’s about it. The endless and unfair respawning of enemies, their spamming of projectiles, the awful ear piercing music, the stiff movements and jumping, and no stage checkpoints, it all just makes this a terrible experience. This is one of SNK's very early releases, and it shows their inexperience in platformers. 

   Athena is not recommended by me. I don’t mind difficult games, but this is just too broken and unfair to enjoy. It’s a shame, cause this has so much potential. Athena could have been up there with the likes of Mai Shiranui, but is instead relegated to a cameo fighter in the King of Fighters series. 

Cyborg Hunter - SEGA Master System

     

     Cyborg Hunter is a platforming action game very reminiscent of Metroid. Only that your base attack is melee punches. You must infiltrate a fortress full of enemies, and unlock new areas with upgrades you collect. You have a radio operator assisting you as you carry on your mission. That’s pretty much it. 

     Yeah, it’s a Metroid clone. To its credit, it’s a good clone. The graphics are very nice. Its characters are Anime style from its time. That’s because it’s actually a tie-in game to a TV Anime called Sonic Soldier Borgman. The localizers just altered the characters, so they won’t be recognized. The hud displaying the map is handy and the radar also alerts you, so you won’t be ambushed by enemies. The controls can be confusing when trying to use the elevator, but I figured it out. The major problem is it’s a manual required game. I did not know how to use the weapons and upgrades I got, until chat told me I needed to use a second controller to select them. Eh?!! Second controller for menu to select!? What if you’re a kid in the 80’s alone and you are stuck there for hours without a clue? I’m sure you could have used the pause button to bring up a menu, just like so many games have done. Other than that, it’s a good Metroid clone. 

     It’s a good clone. Just wish it was better handled with the controls. If I had the time, I would play this to completion for the curiosity. Just make sure you have a second controller to actually play this game. Give it a try, if you’re curious. It's very well like by Master System fans. 

Astyanax - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

    

    Astyanax is a port of an arcade side scrolling adventure game with rpg mechanics. You play a high school boy who is isekai into a fantasy world, to save a magical princess from a dark sorcerer. Yes, even then, isekai was a common storyline trope. A companion fairy name Cutie guides you on your journey, as you venture across six treacherous levels of brutal platforming and an endless onslaught of enemies. The graphics are awesome, and well designed and detailed. This is one of the best looking games on the NES. You have a magical weapon named, Bash. Bash can transform from a Battle Axe, to a Spear and a Sword. Each form is stronger in strength, but weakens your magic abilities. It’s a good counter to not make the player overpowered. It’s a standard affair. Transverse the stages, defeat the boss and advance onwards. What gives this game its charm is its detailed cutscenes. Excellent anime illustrations present a compelling narrative as you play. Considering the limitations of the NES, these scenes are well executed. I was surprised and became motivated to beat this game on stream. It feels as I am watching one of my mom’s old VHS OVA Anime tapes, only in game form. 

    Astyanax is very difficult…for new players. As a new player myself, this was a gauntlet. I was just brute forcing my way through the levels, until I advanced. Nothing trial and error with perseverance can’t handle. You know what we always say on this blog: GIT GUD. 

    My only complaint is the unfair enemy placement and the endless respawning of them. You have to look before you leap at every platform, because an unexpected enemy can just spawn from the ground and knock you back into the death pit. This game had to take inspiration from Castlevania, because the enemies are relentless and the dreaded knock back is your common demise. Don’t even get me started on the flying drone enemies, known as the “Medusa Head” clones to gamers. Still, despite the enemies and the occasional unfair challenges, it’s a nice feeling of accomplishment to beat the stage boss and progress. The bosses are so cool looking too. The sprite work is so detailed and imaginative. Very Heavy Metal kind of Vibe. 

    With an awesome and compelling presentation, excellent sprite designs, and fun game mechanics, I highly recommend this game. It’s really short too, if you know what you’re doing. You can just cheese the difficult parts with the time freeze spell anyways, including the boss fights. It’s a little unfair, but overall a fun time for challenge lovers like myself. Play this game. A Melody Hayashi Approval 🐰👍🏻 

The Cyber Shinobi - SEGA Master System

     This game is not very good. The controls are very stiff and the movement is slow. I struggle to move my character accurately to avoid danger and hit an enemy. The music is not very good too. Lots of unfair traps with no hints for avoiding them, unless I didn’t see it. And worst, when you die and get set back, your time does not restart. You need to beat each level flawlessly. That is a very game breaking oversight. 

     Nah! Skip this one. It’s so broken and unfair. Clunky controls, bad level design and bad programming. I can’t recommend this one. 

Arkista’s Ring - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

     Arkista’s Ring is a top down action-adventure game exclusively published for North America by Sammy. It can also be found on Famicom bootleg carts, like my Mother’s own copy of the game. You play as Christine on a quest to find the magic Artiska’ Ring. Traversing the lands, collecting power ups, penetrating fortresses, defeating monsters and bosses to save her world. 

   It’s a simple and short, but charming game. It’s pretty easy too, with the power ups and the continues you have. Nothing really to it. There’s only 32 Levels and the game loops. So I guess this is ideally for gamers who like collecting points. My only complaints is that the controls are stiff and the music is really high pitched. 

     This game is fine, and it was one of my mom’s favorite games to play in a boring afternoon. You can beat it in less than a hour and go for multiple loops. I know there’s secret jewels I missed, so try to find them all. 

Cool Spot - SEGA Master System

      Cool Spot is a 90’s 7Up mascot, that was popular enough to get his own video games. This game is an actual commercial to a soda brand. But, it’s not shovelware. There’s actual effort put into this. You play as Spot, the “Cool” tiny Red Dot of the 7Up soda logo. You’re on a mission to rescue all your Red Dot friends, that was put into cages by a villain named Wild Wicked Wy Will. The villain is trying to prove to the world that the Red Dots exist by exposing them. It’s up to Spot to save all his friends to keep their lives secret from humans. 

     This game is fun! The controls are tight. The level designs are fun and challenging. The music sounds really good. Especially the chiptune cover of “Wipeout” played during the game’s opening and the trance dance bonus song. If this music sounds good on the Master System, it must be great on the other consoles. My only complaint is the enemy placement, which is a little unfair. But, nothing a GIT GUD attitude can’t overcome. I got better and better with every retry of a level. 

     You definitely need to play this game, at least for the curiosity of it. It’s an excellent platformer, despite it being a glorified soda commercial. I still had fun with it. Can't review the 16-bit version.   

Arkanoid - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

     Arkanoid is an Arcade port of the Taito classic. You control a paddle ship called Vaus. Your mother ship was destroyed by an evil entity called DOH. While fleeing your mothership’s destruction, you are trapped in a warp zone fully controlled by DOH. Your mission is to escape the warp zone by completing all the levels and defeat DOH. Break all the blocks of each level with the ball to advance. Use power ups to break the blocks faster and easier. Watch out for enemies that crawl in and attack. Use the ball to destroy them and rack up more points. 

     Well, I highly recommend you play this game with the designed “Vaus Controller”, if you want tight controls. There is a oh so slight delay when you use the standard NES controller, and the precision is very awkward. Honestly, the biggest difficulty I had was controlling the ship to not miss the ball. I often overshoot my position and can’t seem to keep pace with the ball. It is not impossible though. With will power, I’m sure someone can adapt to the NES controls. I was able to beat a few levels. 

     Yeah… this game is simple, but it’s charming and can be fun. It’s just the controls holding it back to be fully appreciated. You can play it without the special controller, but it is much more difficult. If you like challenges and mental strength adapting, give this game a try. And if you can find the Vaus controller meant for this game, absolutely play it. It is a good time, with the right controller. A whole other challenge, with the standard controller.

Columns - SEGA Master System

  Columns for the SEGA Master System. Yup, Columns. Match three or more of the same color gems in a row to eliminate them. Try not to overflow them to the top. Wipe out enough and move on to the next stage, with increased speed. 

     It sure is Columns. The controls are tight and the music is ok. Columns. It’s Columns on the SEGA Master system. 

     What can I tell you? It’s Columns. It’s a good puzzle game on all SEGA consoles. It’s so good, it warranted two sequels. If you like dropping block games, and Tetris is not available to play, Columns is an ok alternative. Meh… 

Archon: The Light and the Dark - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

 

     Archon is a… unique game. It’s Chess. Chess with special attacks, spells, and totally new pieces with action battles gameplay. And make no mistake, this game will not be merciful to new players. It sure as Hell wasn’t for me. If you’re expecting traditional chess pieces and rules, well forget about it. This is definitely a game that requires reading of the instructions manual. Instructions that I do not have. Imagine renting this game as a kid from a video store in the 80’s, and being thrown into the battle pit. Oof. 

     Anyways, it’s fine. I can imagine this being fun, if you know all the rules and mechanics of the game. I gave it my all with my first try, and I still was amused by this game. 

     Archron is a unique spin of the classic game of chess. If you like try something different and challenging, give this game a go. My only complaints about it, is you need the instructions to know all the mechanics and rules, and the music is not so great. It's an ok game that many can enjoy. 

Cloud Master - SEGA Master System

     Cloud Master for the SEGA Master System is your standard, but challenging shoot’em up. Based on the story of “Journey to the West”, you play as the Monkey King on his flying cloud on a stage-by-stage side scrolling adventure. Blast a variety of silly and menacing enemies, collect fire power upgrades, and find hidden doors to purchase special power ups at a weapon shop to assist you, and fight bosses at the end of each stage. 

     Yeah, this game is HARD. Relentlessly attacking enemies. One hit deaths. No stopping for nothing action. Be quick or be dead gameplay. It’s possible with practice. You know what I always say when it comes to hard games: GIT GUD. 

     It’s as basic as a shoot’em can be, but its charming theme, and it’s fun, but difficulty gameplay well makes up for it. It’s not for the weak, that’s for sure. There is a good time here though. I definitely recommend Cloud Master, if you’re into the challenge of it. Give a try. 

Arch Rivals - Nintendo Entertainment System

    Arch Rivals is an arcade port of a goofy basketball game. Two teams playing dirty to win on a two-on-two match. Instead of stealing the ball, you punch your opponents. The crowd throws trash into the court for you to slip on. Watch out for the short referee, because you can trip over him. Slam dunk hard enough to break the backboard of the hoop. It’s all out bananas in this silly game! 

    Controls are ok. It’s only a little stiff and delayed. Wish the punching was more fluent. Then again, if the hitting was more efficient, the game would devolve into an endless brawl. I guess it makes sense for the attack to be a bit janky. It is also a bit hard at first. You get use to it with practice though. Other than that, I have no complaints about this cooky game. 

    Give this game a try. If you’re looking for a half-hour to kill, you can do worse than Arch Rivals. It’s goofy fun and nothing to be taken seriously. If you got retro buddies, invite them over for some competitive laughs. 

Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck - SEGA Master System

     Son of Chuck has vastly improved from its first game on the Master System. There is stage music, the gameplay mechanics are understandable, and the level designs are coherent. And unfortunately, that’s where the compliments end. Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck is very, VERY Bland. It is as basic as it comes for mascot platformers. Chuck Jr. is not even that appealing to be honest. Sure, he’s a baby on a quest to rescue his dad, but his sprite is kinda ugly. I guess they were going for the whole gross is cool thing they had in the American 90’s. Who really knows? Still, even if he was more appealing, the gameplay is still boring. Not even the boss fights are exciting to beat. You just stand there waiting for the dinosaurs to attack and then you counterattack. It’s very tedious and they have a lot of hit points. Yawnnnnn…. 

 

     This game is a Big Meh. Better than the first, but not really fun or challenging to play. You can try it, if you’re curious. It’s only six levels, but they’re six levels of boring. I wouldn’t blame anyone for skipping this one. 

Anticipation - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Anticipation is an original virtual board game developed by RARE for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Yes, an exclusive board game for the NES. I Googled it to make sure. This is made solely to be played on the Nintendo Entertainment System. And what do you know? It’s not a bad game at all. It’s developed by RARE, so it was in good hands. Pretty simple and that is the key to its charm. You pick a token, roll the game’s dice, and collect squares by winning the guessing game of that square. The player who collects all the colored squares advances to the next level board. It’s a race to get to the top. And each player has a chance to steal squares, if you’ve not guessed correctly. It’s really well balanced out, so no worries about falling behind the lead. The game can turn around on a player's miss. 

     Just know, you only need to press a button once to stop the drawing to guess. You don’t control the drawing, you are only signaling that you know the answer to guess as fast as you can. You can lose your chance at guessing, by not pressing the button in time before the drawing is complete. It’s best to guess as soon as possible, because the timer to guess is always ticking from the start. 

     I had a lot of fun playing this. I did struggle a bit because English is my second language, but I still managed to beat the computer opponent on Easy mode. I highly recommend this game. Get your friends and family, and have a great time. Even challenge it alone with the highest difficulty, with max three computer opponents. It’s fun and easy to get into. Another win from the original development team of RARE. 

Chuck Rock - SEGA Master System

     I'm not gonna lie. This game is weird, very bland and bad. The only good things I can say about it is the controls are tight and the title music is nice. Too many flaws make this game unenjoyable. The character itself, Chuck Rock, is just not appealing at all. His belly attack is gross, but at least the enemy hit boxes are not broken. There are many mechanics and controls not obvious to understand. Why are arrows pointing at an alligator that does nothing? Why can't I reach items from high platforms? I guess you need the instructions for this game for those answers. There is no game music. Only the title song. That's it. This game is really, really, underdeveloped. 

     Chuck Rock is a short-lived mascot character. I can see why. You can pass on this game. So many flaws and no appeal. it's a wonder why it even exists.   

American Gladiators - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

     American Gladiators for the Nintendo Entertainment System is a surprise that subverted my expectations. At first glance, it look like another American licensed franchised low quality game. There is a verity of stages for you to select from at start. Rest assure, these are not throw away mini-games. This is a freaking Gauntlet! Four intense stages that will make the average Marvel Rivals player cry and throw the whole game away. This game is not for the weak. Every stage is a trial of precision, endurance and skill. It took me a hour to master the climbing stage alone. Thankfully, the game throws you some mercy, by letting you have a stage with no losses. You have to dunk a ball into goals, that are super overly guarded by very aggressive muscle men. If you manage to dunk into every goal, you can get a 1up. I don't know too much about this tv show. I am currently 23 and Japanese born, after all. Every stage is a resemblance of one of the games these gladiators participated in this show. All I can say is, Wow. I manage to beat all but one stage in my stream. It took a lot of grit to nail it down. Like I said, this game is not for the weak.       

     To summarize American Gladiators for the NES: GIT GUD. I highly recommend this title, if you're into overcoming difficult challenges. See if you can beat all the stages and get the highest score. It is also 2-players, so bring a friend over to play.    

Choplifter - SEGA Master System

 

     This is Choplifter on the SEGA Master System. Your mission is to rescue hostages and prisoners of war from behind enemy lines. You have two attacks, straight missile and ground bomb. Dodge enemy fire to enter enemy basses. Drop down to pickup passengers and drop them off back at home base. 

     This game is DIFFICULT. 

     The controls take time to get use to, but it’s possible to handle. The biggest hurdle after getting the controls down is the enemies. They are way more accurate than you, and faster too. You can’t even skip over the ground enemies, because they will be there until you destroy them. I had so much trouble with dodging enemy fire, I could not even beat the first level. It is that hard. 

     The controls are very responsive. The music nice. The gameplay is fun. It is just very difficult. It’s the famous Choplifter. It’s cool seeing this game on the Master System. If you’re up to the challenge, I say play it. You just need to GIT GUD.