Over the last few years, we've looked at Electronic Gaming Monthly's reviews from just about every way possible. We've counted down the best and worst-reviewed going year by year, we've listed every Game of the Month winner, we've gone over every single launch game, we've turned their award show into an Oscar-style telecast and we've even dedicated full episodes to classic franchises like Castlevania and Metroid. But for as exhaustive as we've been, there are two issues that we have yet to talk about. The first is the 1989 Buyer's Guide, which launched February 1989, only three months before the second magazine we're going to talk about today, Electronic Gaming Monthly's very first issue.

When we talk about the Best & Worst and calculate EGM's scores, I tend to leave out these two issues. No, it's not because of some conspiracy or anything exciting, but rather because neither of these issues featured the Review Crew. That was an invention found in issue 2, when they introduced the world to the first batch of critics -- Steve Harris, Ed Semrad, Donn Nauert and Jim Allee. Before that, they only had one person review a game using a four-point Hit meter. The highest score was a direct hit, followed by just a regular old hit, a near hit and then, I assume, a miss. I have to guess because EGM abandoned this scoring system before they reviewed a game bad enough to deserve the lowest rating.

Because this scoring method was so different from the usual 10-point scale found in later issues, I decided to leave these two magazines out of the EGM Best & Worst series. This decision has haunted me for years, so today I want to focus on the 30 games reviewed using the Hit meter. You're going to find that it's a surprisingly varied selection of games, including a few that were for computers. That's right, these EGM issues are so old that they had yet to decide whether to play the field or go steady with consoles. We all know what they ultimately chose, which makes these PC reviews all the more interesting.

But that's enough of me setting things up. Let's take look at the games they reviewed in these first two issues. There's no way to rank these games with a proper countdown, so we'll split them up using the Hit meter and see what the editors had to say about the reviews that came before the Review Crew.


Before we get into the Hit meter reviews, let's first take a look at the honorable mentions. These were games that Electronic Gaming Monthly didn't review, but did set aside in their Player's Seal of Approval section in their 1989 Buyer's Guide. These are the "Mark of Excellence," identified as the "games which display a superior design" and are of "the highest quality available."

I'm talking about the overhead shoot 'em up Iron Tank from SNK.

Speaking of overhead adventures, the NES port of Gauntlet also earned The U.S. National Video Game Team's seal of approval.

The same goes for Tengen's arcade-faithful port of Pac-Man on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Another top-rated NES game was Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf, which wasn't as violent as the name lets on.

R.B.I. Baseball is another must-own sports game, according to the U.S. National Video Game Team. It definitely proved to be popular, going on to spawn seven sequels and a modern reboot.

And finally, we can't ignore Tetris, which EGM named their Game of the Month in their very first issue. Before you ask, it was the Tengen version, which they preferred over the one that came from Nintendo and Bullet-Proof Software.

Near Hit
Time Soldier (Sega/SMS)
Let's go ahead and start with the worst-reviewed games, the ones that earned the "near hit" grade. Don't worry, there are only two of these, so it won't take long. The first is Time Soldier, which they described as "one of Sega's hardest games. There is surprisingly little flicker in the two-player mode and the twisted maze of time tunnels will keep your mind, as well as your firing button, completely occupied."

Offshore Warrior (Titus/Amiga)
The other "near hit" was Offshore Warrior, a boat-themed action game with a mighty learning curve. "Once I learned how to correctly hit targets with my missiles, the racing elements became more a matter of skill than chance. Unfortunately, the glitz wore off after a short time and ultimately failed to hold my attention for any length of time."

Hit
Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo/NES)
For me, the biggest surprise was discovering that Super Mario Bros. 2 was not considered a "direct hit" by EGM, but rather just a regular old "hit." A three out of four, if you will. Jay concluded that he was "happily surprised by what he saw. The game is a lot of fun despite the absence of score and times. Plenty of warps and a lot of bonus secrets."

Blaster Master (Sunsoft/NES)
Not only did Super Mario Bros. 2 fall short of the top score, but so did Blaster Master. Steve Ryno explained that "this is one of the better games of the year. It has plenty of thrills and more than enough punch to keep even the most seasoned players occupied for some time. Blaster Master has all the addictive qualities of the most popular arcade games, and the strategic overtones of blockbuster adventure carts like The Legend of Zelda. Blaster Master is a powerful game that will definitely please."

Ys Book 1 (Sega/SMS)
EGM would later go on to give Ys Book I & II a perfect 10 out of 10 when they reviewed it on the TurboGrafx, but Book I was merely a "hit" on the Master System. "Seasoned players are looking for more than just the simple adventure/quest games being offered by the competition. Ys is a great example f how good this categy can get and will prove to be challenging to anybody who tries it."

Golvellius (Sega/SMS)
Golvellius is one of those hidden Sega gems that people missed because they owned an NES instead of the Master System. However, when EGM reviewed it, they came away impressed and made this bold prediction: "With Wonderboy in Monster Land, Miracle Warrior, Phantasy Star and now Golvellius, Sega is going to have a lot of Nintendo players joining the Sega side to play the games that aren't available for Nintendo.

Bump'n Jump (Vic Tokai/NES)
More of an action game than racer, EGM was initially unimpressed with Bump'n Jump. "The graphics and sounds were adequate, but nothing extraordinary. As I started playing more and more, though, the action became more furious and I found myself hooked. I strongly recommend this cart for anyone looking for a totally unique challenge."

Double Dragon (Sega/SMS)
I hope you're ready to hear EGM's thoughts on Double Dragon, because this arcade smash hit is going to show up three times in this list. 10% of the games EGM reviewed in these two issues are named Double Dragon. This Master System version received a "hit" score, with Ed noting that it has the two-player mode missing from the NES port. "The graphics exceed Sega's usual high standards, and with enough practice, you should be able to master all of the special moves as on-screen control is exceptional. There is some screen flicker in certain areas where multiple players and enemies collide in large numbers, but this in no way diminishes from the title's overall playability. I'll put up with a little flicker if I can beat up the bad guys with my friends."

Double Dragon (Arcadia-Tradewest/C64)
Like I said, Double Dragon is going to come up a lot today. Much like the Master System port, this Commodore 64 version earned a "hit" score: "After Tradewest produced a very good one-player version of Double Dragon for the Nintendo, I held a lot of hope for the two-player computer translation. While the game does capture a lot of the fun from the arcade, most of the spontaneity and surprise are unfortunately missing. Nonetheless, a good translation of an incredible coin-op game."

Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders (LucasFilm Games/PC)
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders is one of the lesser-known LucasFilm titles, and after reading the EGM review, it's easy to see why. "This is both a game of intuitive leaps and grinding logic, but mostly it's a puzzle written and designed with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Zak provides many hours of challenge and enjoyment, but what it really excels at is the ego boost it gives when you turn off your computer and say to yourself, "My, my, aren't I the clever one?"

Racket Attack (Jaleco/NES)
While it didn't go on to spawn a bunch of sequels, Racket Attack is another great 8-bit game from Jaleco. EGM noted that "Racket Attack is a great game for those of you who like a constant, fast-paced challenge. It's easy to grasp and doesn't require extraordinary knowledge of tennis to play. I'm not a big fan of the sport, but I found myself satisfyingly addicted to the game's play mechanics."

Ultima (FCI/NES)
Ultima is one of the few role-playing games reviewed in these two EGM issues. Donn complained that it was "a little difficult to get started, but once you have progressed through several experience levels, you'll be able to explore the uncharted areas and become more involved with the adventure. There's plenty to see and do, and completing the quest is not the overnight pushover that some so-called strategy games turn out to be."

Rastan (Taito/SMS)
Out next game is the Master System port of the arcade hit Rastan, and EGM called it a good addition to the Sega lineup. "The graphics are better than anything that Taito has done for the NES and the animation and scrolling are quite excellent. I like the game, especially the vines and the nightfall sequence."

Xenophobe (Sunsoft/NES)
Xenophobe is yet another arcade hit finding a new home on the NES. EGM noted that "Xenophobe mildly suffers around the edges, but nevertheless stands as a good original title that has lost very little weight in the trip from arcade hit to home cart. It looks good, it feels good, it plays good. A confident thumbs-up that will leave fans of the coin-op completely fulfilled."

Seicross (FCI/NES)
A mix of shoot 'em up action and hoverbike antics, Seicross is the fast-paced NES game with the memorable (albeit hard to read) logo. EGM concludes that "Seicross isn't an overly complicated game, but it does have enough of those addictive qualities that made it an arcade sleeper that warrants closer inspection. It's not for everyone, even some shooter fans may be turned off by the intense combination of driving and targeting, but for players like me who are looking for a little extra challenge, Seicross is a welcome introduction from FCI."

Rambo III (Sega/SMS)
Rambo III is the only light gun game reviewed in this issue, and it fared better than you might expect. "One new feature that Rambo does have over its arcade competition is the multi-tiered play mechanics and the "save the hostages" theme which carries over from round to round. It's a natural fit for a gun game and with the proper execution, evident here, it makes for a fantastic game."

Cyborg Hunter (Activision/SMS)
When you look at this footage of Cyborg Hunter, you're probably not comparing it to Zillion, because it's 2022 and nobody remembers Zillions. However, back in 1989, that's all EGM wanted to talk about. "Cyborg Hunter can be likened to Zillion in a number of ways, but I believe it's better simply because the action portion of play has a much more definable punch. Cyborg Hunter is a good first effort from Activision and indicates that the company is on the right track to leading the Sega Master System in a better direction."

Crossbow (Atari/7800)
Of all the games EGM tackled before the Review Crew, it's Crossbow on the Atari 7800 that received the most mixed reception. On one hand, they argued that it has spectacular graphics and a story that is almost Shakespearean. However, "the game does suffer from some rather stilted animation" and "the sound effects aren't spectacular." But even with those complaints, Donn recommended the game, "but if you're hesitant at purchasing a new add-on for the 7800, the joystick option is definitely a nice option. Crossbow is as good as the name."

Into the Eagle's Nest (Atari/XE System)
Into the Eagle's Nest is an action-packed overhead World War II game that, according to EGM, nearly earned the top score. "It's a good game but there are a few rough edges that keep it from becoming a 'direct hit.' First of all, there is a complete lack of detailed coloring or character animation, which makes it looks in many ways as if you're maneuvering a bunch of robots around. One of the most distracting and absolutely terrible features of the game, however, is the way the enemy character score hits against you. But even with these little quirks existing in the XE version, it still should appeal to most and is worthy of a 'hit' ranking."

Hat Trick (Atari/7800)
And finally, the last game in the "hit" category is Hat Trick, a rudimentary hockey game with some weird rules. "This is not your standard game of hockey -- only two players per team -- but nonetheless, it's still fun to play. The game seems to lack on the overall sound quality, but it makes up for this with gameplay that's easy to grasp. Atari may finally have a winner."

Direct Hit
R-Type (Sega/SMS)
When it comes to games that scored a "direct hit," you're going to notice that a lot of them are shoot 'em ups. Perhaps that appropriate for the scoring system, but prepare to see some familiar shooters as we go through the top-ranked titles. R-Type is the first, and, as EGM explains, "it's clearly the best game ever released for the Sega Master System. Up until now, I had thought that Shinobi couldn't be beaten, but nothing available for any system can compare with R-Type. A ten out of ten winner that will be a strong contender for Game of the Year honors in '89."

1943 (Capcom/NES)
Another great shooter reviewed in EGM's first issue was Capcom's 1943, which is "not the push-over game 1942 was. Even using Turbo, plus all the special weapons I can find, it has taken more than a few tries to master this epic shooter. 1943 delivers the goods that all good shoot 'em ups need -- fast action and addictive gameplay."

Life Force (Konami/NES)
Life Force is yet another amazing shoot 'em up that earned a "direct hit" from EGM. Jay Moon explained that "back in the Atari 2600 days, I never thought I'd see a game available for home play that has such refinement as Konami's Life Force. If you are a Gradius fan, as I am, you probably have asked what's next? Life Force showcases Konami's technical wizardry; this game is a masterpiece."

Hybris (Discovery Software/Amiga)
Hybris proves that not every shoot 'em up we're going to talk about is on a home console. R. Bradley Andrews concluded that this Amiga title was a "fabulous game. I highly recommend it to any arcade fan. The graphics and sound complemented the game so much that I found myself continually coming back to play one more game before writing this review. It definitely ranks on the top of my arcade game list."

F-19 Stealth Fighter (Microprose/PC)
Not every shooter is 2D, as we see from our next game, F-19: Stealth Fighter. EGM called it "absolutely outstanding. It's a solid flight simulator, an exhilarating combat experience, and is packed with more bells and whistles than almost anything currently on the market. This game is sensational from take-off to landing."

Bomber Raid (Activision/SMS)
Bomber Raid is yet another must-play shooter earning the top prize in EGM's 1989 buyer's guide. "Bomber Raid is a great game that falls short only in a very limited sense. It has the beautiful scrolling graphic shared by only the best arcade shoot 'em ups and plenty of targets to shoot out, but the number of power-ups and the affect they have on your fighter doesn't add the amount of depth that could have been included. This is really only a minor complaint. The game itself is absolute gold, with every option and every play mechanic you could want in a shooter. Bravo Activision, you've got yourself a winner."

Bubble Bobble (Taito/NES)
Bubble Bobble is another massive arcade hit that ported well to the NES. John explains that "beyond some visual shortcomings, Bubble Boble is one of the most entertaining games available for the Nintendo. It's straight-forward enough for novices, yet contains enough variety, hidden strategies and challenge to keep the best of us coming back for more."

Sword of Sodan (Discovery Software/Amiga)
Of the many games reviewed in the first issue, Sword of Sodan is easily the best looking. R. Bradley Andrews explains that when he first played the game, he had trouble learning how to effectively control the character. "But once I realized how to use the joystick controls it became a very simple task to reach the upper levels. The graphics truly amazed me, fitting the bill for hack and slash gaming enthusiasts everywhere."

Tecmo Bowl (Tecmo/NES)
One of the most beloved 8-bit football games of all time also earned a "direct hit" from EGM. Was there ever any doubt? They explained that "this game has been put together with a strong emphasis on interaction and playability, and the desired effect is clearly achieved. Tecmo Bowl is the hottest new sports game of the season and clearly deserves some additional attention during the current football season. Chalk one up for Tecmo -- this is a great game!"

Tower Toppler (Atari/7800)
Released on the Atari 7800, EGM was surprised and impressed with Tower Toppler from Atari. Donn explains it this way: "I loaded it up expecting another original Atari title that falls short on graphics, gameplay and action, and was pleasantly surprised to find a game that is totally involving. Tower Toppler had me coming back again and again with its adventuresome storyline and detailed play. It's a totally original title that lives up to other great action-adventure carts."

Double Dragon (Tradewest/NES)
If you're looking for EGM's best-reviewed port of Double Dragon, then look no further than the NES version. "In order to keep the crisp graphics, the great definition of characters, and the true action gameplay that made Double Dragon the number one hit in the arcades, Technos had to make a choice between the two-player option and solid gameplay. They made the right choice, because Double Dragon now has quality as well as content. My hat's off to Tradewest for the remarkable job they did on Double Dragon. This is a game that's worth every penny."