Missile Control |
Atari 2600 |
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Review by Jess Ragan |
Video Gems |
Action |
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Graphics: 7 |
Sound: 5 |
Gameplay: 5 |
Overall: 6 |
![]() There
isn't a lot you can say about most 2600 games due to their simplistic
nature... they've got to either really impress or traumatize you before
you can discuss them in much detail.
Missile Command doesn't make much of an impression one way
or the other, so you can probably guess that this will be a pretty short
review.
What I will say is that this is a more competant effort than I'd
expected from one of the 2600's more obscure game developers.
The graphics are more than satisfactory by the 2600's admittedly
limited standards... the saucers are very colorful, and the size of the
missiles your country launches at its mysterious rival will make you
wonder why they haven't already given up.
On the down side, the sound effects are pretty basic and the
gameplay, while responsive, isn't very inspired or appealing.
It's just Missile Command with brighter graphics and a
clever yet awkward new play mechanic.
It doesn't even have a memorable title like US Games' answer to
Missile Command, M.A.D. (it took me this long to finally realize that
this was a subtle reference to the term "Mutually Assured
Destruction"; in other words, the reason that all of us are still
drawing breath rather than blowing in the wind as radioactive ash).
If
you're a little worried about the currently chilly geopolitical climate, Missile
Command- er, Control will help you release all that pent up
frustration by letting you defend your country from a nuclear attack.
However, if you're REALLY worried about the possibility of nuclear
war, or just don't care one way or the other, you'd be better off spending
your time with one of the dozens of more enjoyable games available for the
2600.
It'll take your mind off that mushroom cloud rising just outside
your window. |