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Amazon.com Review
Arcade Greatest Hits: Midway Collection 1 is a compilation of classic video games that made their debuts in the arcades of yore. In this case, Midway's classics are: Spy Hunter, Robotron 2084, Joust, Defender, Sinistar, and Rootbeer Tapper. All six games are packaged on the one cartridge, along with arcade trivia, and an unfortunately clunky 3-D interface that nevertheless fails to diminish the shine of these classic games. If you've never played these coin-eaters (or you simply can't remember them), here's a rundown:
Defender is a simple game. You are a lone spaceship deployed to protect the earth from a relentless army of alien beings intent on kidnapping humans. The play mechanics are equally simple: scroll right or left, up and down, shooting moving spaceships as they try to scoop up humans. The game translates very well to the N64. The graphics are sharp and the gameplay actions translate well to the controller's buttons. Joust calls for you to fly your giant bird and forcibly dismount your opponents from their birds, allowing you to collect the eggs that you dislodge in the process. While there have been many imitators, there's nothing like the original.
Spy Hunter is a top-down, weapon-based racing game. You're a spy racing against time and a bunch of evil opponents. The bad guys try to knock you off the road or into various obstacles. You must use your weapons and driving skills to keep going.
Robotron 2084 puts you in position as the last human who can save the world from a legion of endlessly zealous robot attackers. Played from an overhead perspective, the game's controls allow you to aim and fire independently from the direction you're moving.
Sinistar is a classic shooter, and one of the first with digitized voice samples. You and your ship are mankind's last hope against the evil Sinistar. In this very realistic recreation of the game, you must go around space blowing up asteroids and collecting the leftover debris before it's too late.
Rootbeer Tapper casts you as a bartender serving frosty beverages to your customers. The patrons of the game are spread across multiple tables, and when their glasses go empty you must refill them.
Arcade Greatest Hits: Midway Collection 1 is as good as it gets for fans of the old arcade classics, as well as for youngsters interested in the history of video games. --Todd Mowatt
Pros: Authentically reproduced sights, sounds, and action of original classics Cons: 3-D interface is both clunky and unnecessary
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