Page 27 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #3

H.E.R.O.
Created by: Activision
Designed by: John Van Ryzin
Platforms: Atari 2600
Released: 1983

Miners have been trapped inside Mount Leone thanks to a volcanic
eruption. Now it’s up to Roderick Hero to save the day. Definitely one of
the more engrossing games for the 2600.
This game is sort of like Pitfall II, if Pitfall Harry had stolen Lex Luthor’s
flying apparatus. The early levels are easy enough, but as the game pro-
gresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to find your way to the sullen
looking miners. Speaking of which, you’d think the miners would be a little
happier to see their rescuer. Perhaps it’s just the lack of oxygen.
As Roderick, you get to shoot lasers from your helmet and detonate
TNT to destroy the rock walls blocking your path. Very destructive and
very fun! H.E.R.O.

Memorable moments: Finding the raft. Constantly touching the lava
and screaming expletives. Superman

Overall Rating: A Created by: Atari
Designed by: John Dunn
Platforms: Atari 2600
Released: 1980

Lex Luthor and his band of unmerry men have blown up the Metropolis
Bridge and are on the loose. It’s up to Superman to round up the gang, put
the baddies behind bars (without a trial, no less!), and rebuild the bridge.
Superman definitely ranks in the top 10 of all Atari 2600 games. It’s fast
paced and captures the essence of Superman. You get to utilize his x-ray
vision, avoid kryptonite, kiss Lois Lane, change from Clark Kent to Superman
(and vice versa), and moonlight as a bridge building engineer. The replayabil-
ity factor is high due to the fact that you are timed on how long it takes to
complete the objectives.
I’ll even go so far to say that this version of Superman blows the current
N64 game away! Of course, that really isn’t saying much if you’ve played the
N64 version.

Superman Memorable moments: Completing the game in under 2 minutes.

Overall Rating: A+
Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Produced by: Parker Brothers
Platforms: Atari 2600
Released: 1982

I think it’s a given that Spider-Man is much cooler than Superman. Spidey
just has that certain “Je ne sais quoi” that ol’ Supes is lacking. So, why does
his videogame suck so bad?
Parker Brothers developed a game that is about as action packed as a bag
of rice. The object is to climb a rather stiff looking Web Slinger to the top of a
building in order to defuse a bomb the Green Goblin has planted. Criminals in
windows make feeble attempts to stop Spidey, and the Green Goblin makes a
similar effort as he lazily floats back and forth across the screen. Once you
defuse the bomb, the screens repeat, ad nauseum. The only fun activity is to
shoot webbing and make Spider-man swing from side to side.

Memorable moments: Catching Spidey in the nick of time on the side of a
building while he’s plummeting towards the ground.

Overall Rating: D Spider-Man

Classic Gamer Magazine Spring 2000 27