This past weekend Defunct Games introduced our first six reviews for the Philips CD-i platform. These six reviews featured genuine selling points, including Mario, Link, and of course that sexpot, Zelda! Sure these games were less than stellar (some might consider them to be the worst games ever to use Mario or Zelda characters), but at least could draw some attention to this struggling CD-based game system/movie player. But Philips decided not to use those Nintendo characters; instead opting for a half dozen full motion video games that were forgotten seconds after they were released.

The real problem with this commercial is the tag line, "This Should Open A Few Eyes." What companies like Philips forgot to take into consideration was that full-motion video games, for all their hype, were never very popular. There were a number of stand out titles that sold big numbers, but when it came right down to it most gamers didn't want to control real people. Of course, this advertisement tells you that "you've got to see them, hear them and play them to believe them," yet it's games like Space Ace and Mad Dog McCree that have almost no game play to speak of. And why is "play" in italics? Are they suggesting that "play" is sarcastic?

The only game on this list that wasn't a full-motion video game is Caesars World of Boxing, a game that was still months off when this commercial appeared in adverts. I'm all for boxing games, I don't even care if they are 2D ... but is there a reason the game cuts off 70% of the screen? These two fighters are going at it in the world's smallest screen, while this HUGE wall covers their legs. What gives? And really, are these games supposed to attract new gamers to the system? Where are the big games? The recognizable names? When Mad Dog McCree is your biggest title you know you're backing the wrong system. Is it any wonder nobody bought the Philips CD-i?

FROM: Fun-Filled Days of Bad Advertising