With both Barbie and Oppenheimer breaking box office records this past weekend, I think it's safe to say that we're in middle of the summer movie season. When I think about blockbuster movies, I can't help but be reminded of all those films from the 1980s and 90s that were adapted to Nintendo Entertainment System, even when it made absolutely no sense. With so many crummy movie games, I started to wonder what Electronic Gaming Monthly thought back in the day. And more importantly, which movie games they thought were the best of the best.
In case you're curious, EGM reviewed a total of twenty 8-bit games that were based on movies. There were more on the Game Boy, but for this list we're going to focus solely on the console games, all of which ended up being on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Perhaps knowing how bad most movie games are, EGM wisely skipped over a lot of the more questionable titles, like Platoon, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Hudson Hawk, which was apparently big enough to put on the cover, but not big enough to review. What we're going to do today is count down the best and worst 8-bit movie games using Electronic Gaming Monthly's own words and scores. There's no editorializing here, we're going to focus on what the critics said back when these games first came out. So, go and grab the biggest, saltiest, butteriest box of popcorn and enjoy the show, because this is EGM's Top 20 Movie Games (8-Bit Edition).
Total Recall (NES)
#20
“Nintendo Entertainment System games just hit a new low. Total Recall is a total bore that has sub-standard graphics and none of the action found in the movie. In the movie of the same name, Arnold's character's memory was erased! This game, based on the movie, should also have its ‘memory' erased. Total reject!” (2.75 out of 10)
Cliffhanger (NES)
#19
“Cliffhanger was a decent flick, but this wimpy 8-bit version doesn't even compare. The graphics are far below the NES standards. But even worse, the game just isn't any fun. There's way too much dead space since you only see about one enemy at a time and everything is just way too tiny. The control needs a serious overhaul due to too much lag time. Games like this won't bring the 8-bit back from the grave.” (3 out of 10)
Friday the 13th (NES)
#18
“Friday the 13th could have been an excellent game, with blood spurting and knives slashing. What we get instead is another boring Goonies II rip-off that is just plain dull. The graphics are sub-standard and the whole game is slow and tedious to play. This game could turn even Jason's stomach.” (3.25 out of 10)
Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure (NES)
#17
“Bogus! The graphics and play control are most undesirable for the present game at hand, dude! Now, should LJN ever decide to dismantle these gnarly tunes, the overall irritation factor may allow this movie-title cart to slide up to a 4. In the meantime, Bill and Ted are flunking most heinously.” (3.75 out of 10)
Ghostbusters II (NES)
#16
“I didn't like the movie and I don't like the game. What Ghostbusters 2 suffers from is a lack of content. None of the different segments are particularly bad, there just isn't enough substance to make them interesting or fun. None of the segments are strong enough to stand on its own. Just like the movie, Ghostbusters 2 is a disappointment.” (4 out of 10)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (NES)
#15
“This game, while possessing a fairly large environment to explore, just isn't intense enough. The dream sequences are a nice angle, but the play doesn't change much – just the graphics. Elm Street tries to be Simon's Quest, but comes up short.” (4.75 out of 10)
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (NES)
#14
“One would expect that these games would have tons of action and fight scenes. They don't. This cart is more of a maze/puzzle game. Your progress in spots is dependent on how well you can jump from block to block and it can get repetitive until you do everything correctly. Still doesn't have the Lucas touch.” (4.75 out of 10)
The Terminator (NES)
#13
“Terminator almost had a chance on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Sorry to say, but the control is awkward, and the variety of enemies was too lacking in order to keep my attention. Forget the sound, I just turn it off. I like the idea, and if it were solid, it would be hot. My favorite feature is the gun angle control to blast away Arnold.” (5 out of 10)
Godzilla: Monster of Monsters! (NES)
#12
“Godzilla is an interesting game that throws in some strategy between the action sequences. It is the action scenes, however, that need improvement. Godzilla and Mothra move too slowly for any real exciting interaction, and even though the large characters look good, the game is average.” (5.25 out of 10)
The Blues Brothers (NES)
#11
“The Blues Brothers was a great movie, but the video game just does not cut it. Where is the music? Where are the personalities of the characters? What does this game have to do with the movie in any way? Beyond that, though, The Blues Brothers is kind of fun. It's pretty simple, but the gameplay is there.” (5.5 out of 10)
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (NES)
#10
“I saw the movie and the best thing in it was the king, and he only occupied thirty seconds of the film. This game left me with an equally unsatisfied feeling, not because there was anything wrong with what I was supposed to be doing, after awhile I just realized it wasn't much fun.” (5.75 out of 10)
RoboCop 3 (NES)
#9
“Boasting graphics reminiscent of the original NES Batman, Robocop 3 offers strong head-to-head battle action across a scrolling landscape of varying heights. The action moves at a decent pace, with the prerequisite bosses and enhancement cinemas, but the gameplay, although awkward at times, is still fun.” (5.75 out of 10)
Batman Returns (NES)
#8
“Hark, the 8-bit is gasping for air! Can you hear it? I am disappointed with the quality of this cart. The first Batman was filled with techniques and interesting gameplay. This game reminds me of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Batman characters. Punch and jump kick your way through linear levels with extra tough end bosses. Everything about Batman Returns deserves honorable mention, but who needs outdated graphics, sound and gameplay anyway?” (6 out of 10)
Star Wars (NES)
#7
“The movie set standards in the industry is still trying to equal, the company can perform magic. The game, unfortunately, does neither and is very flat and ordinary. Not enough variety, the action never gets intense and it just doesn't have the Star Wars excitement. A big disappointment.” (6.25 out of 10)
The Jungle Book (NES)
#6
“This is the NES? Where did that animation come from? Seriously now, I've never seen a Nintendo Entertainment System game that looks or plays like this game does. There are loads of items to use and the levels themselves are very challenging. However, you really have to be precise in the timing of jumps, or it's a long way to the bottom. The music is decent for a NES game as well. One of the best buys for the NES out there.” (6.75 out of 10)
The Three Stooges (NES)
#5
“3 Stooges is O.K., but it's not a great game. The full screen graphics are very detailed and humorous, but the rest of the game graphics are poorly done. It seems like most of the attention was put on the graphic pictures and sounds and none of the game characters or play.” (6.75 out of 10)
The Little Mermaid (NES)
#4
“Ahhh ... finally, a true family game kids and adults of all ages and sex can enjoy. Little Mermaid has a near perfect blend of action and adventure. The music is upbeat, the graphics are good clean fun, and the theme is, of course, excellent. A must for young NES owners.” (6.75 out of 10)
Little Nemo: The Dream Master (NES)
#3
“Capcom has a history of making games with ‘kiddie' themes and great gameplay. Nemo is no exception. While the cute and cuddly theme may scare some players off, Nemo is filled with new concepts and excellent gameplay. Great cartoony graphics bring a Disney feel to it. It's Rescue Rangers in a dream world.” (7.75 out of 10)
Batman: The Video Game (NES)
#2
“Combine the climbing action from Ninja Gaiden and the action from Castlevania and you get the best action game of the season. The dark background graphics parallel those in the movie and add to the visual effect. Excellent intermissions and merciless bosses will wear down even top players.” (7.75 out of 10)
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (NES)
#1
“Sunsoft seems to be the only company who can bring movies to games. Gremlins reminds me of Fester's Quest, with the exception of jumping. Excellent cinema displays, great graphics and sound, as well as challenging play. Don't play this after midnight.” (8 out of 10)
