Main game
3.03 average rating based on 100 ratings
I'm unsure of what I was expected but I was curious to take a look at the arcade version of Elevator Action.
Look and Sound is really close. In the basement/sublevel area the black backgroud blends in with an alternate sprite where the faces of the enemy agent is darkened (dont like this it makes it harder) also the muscle memory i've developed as a kid playing this on the NES doesnt amount for anything it would seem.
I was also hoping that by feeding this quarters I could make progress. Nope this is one of those where when you die it resets you back a bit... That'd be way too easy right?
Elevator Action is a pretty simple but entertaining game at its core. Noted I never played the arcade version, but I gave the NES port a run. Traditionally it gets harder and harder as you progress and I'm for damn sure not skilled or patient enough to reach the end, but I bet it loops back around like most arcade-to-NES ports of the time. It has its ups and downs, höhö, but generally it deserves its revered place in video game history.
[3.5] / [5]
Look: 8/10 I love the intro video of you being a spy coming in with all the usual spy moves. Cute and simple level design, but very functional. I love the look when the lights go out and everything is a silhouette/shadow.
Sound: 8/10 Cute background music, could be a bit annoying but I didn't get annoyed by it. It could certainly get annoying with an allegedly infinite number of Buildings, but all through Building 3, I still enjoyed the perky, silly tune.
Play: 9/10 Wow I love the controls in this: you can jump, you can duck, you can shoot even while ducking, you can kick when close range, just such a nice variety for an action platformer. The mechanic to open the red doors for the secret documents is a bit goofy and convoluted for such a fast-paced game, but I eventually got the hang of it. Sometimes it was a bit clunky with getting out of the duck position, if only you could roll like the '98 game Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey! At least you can go straight from duck to jump tho! And I like the use of accuracy like with doors blocking bullets etc. A lot …
Look: 8/10 I love the intro video of you being a spy coming in with all the usual spy moves. Cute and simple level design, but very functional. I love the look when the lights go out and everything is a silhouette/shadow.
Sound: 8/10 Cute background music, could be a bit annoying but I didn't get annoyed by it. It could certainly get annoying with an allegedly infinite number of Buildings, but all through Building 3, I still enjoyed the perky, silly tune.
Play: 9/10 Wow I love the controls in this: you can jump, you can duck, you can shoot even while ducking, you can kick when close range, just such a nice variety for an action platformer. The mechanic to open the red doors for the secret documents is a bit goofy and convoluted for such a fast-paced game, but I eventually got the hang of it. Sometimes it was a bit clunky with getting out of the duck position, if only you could roll like the '98 game Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey! At least you can go straight from duck to jump tho! And I like the use of accuracy like with doors blocking bullets etc. A lot of fun, really well-made game, and I thought I was just gonna do the first set of 30 floors but wound up sticking to it. And thanks to arcade games' capabilities, I truly felt like my reaction times were accurate and came in clutch when needed, rather than getting used to clunky response times and mechanics I was truly able to dodge bullets by quickly ducking down or jumping, etc. I almost kept playing after Building 3, but I played a bit and then decided to move on. Great game!
Feel: 9/10 Once I read that, allegedly, it goes on forever (I assume there's eventually a kill screen), I felt less motivated. That's one of my main issue with arcade games that are simply for higher and higher score. This was as I got to Building 3. To stick to my original goal of going real long, I decided I would at least finish Building 3, then I would consider myself done. Not that it was getting annoying or frustrating or too difficult yet, and I was enjoying the game, but when there isn't a set goal, I struggle.
Attachment: 9/10 Incredibly well-made game, quite addictive, executes its spy theme in a cute but grownup way. Even w hen I returned to this on 3/25 to finish up Building 3, I was still having a blast with the fast-paced gameplay and clear-cut controls+mechanics. I had gotten distracted with Old School Runescape, but this game reminds me how much more fun I am having playing through this backlog--so this should be my focus! And of course I'm so busy this weekend, I just want time to play backlog games and Runescape!! Heh
Completion: Completed 3 Buildings Playtime: ~50 mins
The arcade port of this was so much fun, I loved playing it and it felt fair compared to what the NES got. Colors popped up greatly, the controls are solid and the Goons weren't shooting randomly.
Missed opportunity how this port was handled. Still, better than what I've seen so far.
This was among the games I played today during breaks at work. But wow. It really deserves all the praise it's got. I'm on Building 3 rn, but I will save it for at work on breaks, when I can't use Internet etc. so I only play MAME and Stella Atari 2600 games since arcade and Atari 2600/VCS dominate this era. Until the true rise of Famicom, it is still just a footnote in late '83 (upon its release, mind you). But even Nintendo in general...