Spy Hunter
Year Produced: 1983
Publisher/Developer: Midway
Game Style: Racing
Additional information: Because I no longer have the NES version of the game on me, I will be reviewing the Arcade version on the Midway's Arcade Treasures disc for Gamecube. I did attempt to find the NES version online, but was unable to do so. Please note that my gameplay score will reflect that of the Gamecube version, I have not played the arcade cabinet so I cannot judge something that I have never played.
Sample Video of Gameplay: CLICK HERE

Plot: As a special agent, you're driving the G-6155 on a mission to take out all of the spies and other hoodlums on the road while also trying to avoid innocent civilians along the way. If you get far enough into the game, you'll also get to drive a boat doing much of the same.

Personal Experience: Much like Rush 'n Attack, Spy Hunter was one of the first NES games I had ever received...it was my 7th or 8th birthday when I got this. Initially, when I played the game for the NES, I wasn't too particularly impressed. The game seemed to be a bit repetitive at first and it didn't have the same appeal as some other games I played back then (I.E.: Super Mario Bros., Zelda, Rush 'n Attack, just to name a few). However, as I got better at the game, it seemed to be a little less repetitive once the scenery changed and new elements/enemies were introduced. Still, even with all of that being said, I still didn't really care a whole lot about the game and it went unplayed for years until it finally vanished to parts unknown from my collection.

It would be about 20 years before I'd play Spy Hunter again...this time the Arcade version using the Gamecube (and more recently the Wii). I did find that once I got used to the Gamecube's control scheme, the game did seem a little more interesting in arcade form than in the NES port, but it still had the issues with being repetitive.

Things I liked about this game

+: The Smokescreen and Oil Slick power-ups (very useful when you have asshole drivers on your tail)
+: Infinite Lives...until your 999 second timer runs out, then you're on your own (gives players a chance to earn points before they risk getting game over...I'll explain a little more about this in a little bit)
+: The concept of the game (Shooting at spies and villains while driving a fast car and trying to avoid innocents sounds very James Bond-esque)
+: Infinite special weapons ammo (as long as you don't die once you obtain the item)

Things that frustrated me about the game

-: Getting used to the controls (Remember, I played the game on a Gamecube controller...it's not exactly the best set-up for controlling your car. I'm sure the arcade version is better)
-: The music (while the quality for that time was very good, it got repetitive and obnoxious after a while)
-: The game's repetitive feel (While not as bad as in the NES port from what I remember of it, it still keeps a bit repetitive after a while)
-: The civilian drivers (They can be a real nuisance when they block your path and your only choice is to shoot them anyway. The game doesn't really penalize you for shooting an innocent driver except for temporarily stopping you from earning points)

Things that confused me from the game

?: Why do you need to earn 10,000 points before the timer runs out to earn an extra life when there are also bonus life point levels in the game?

CONCLUSION: Of the early racing-type games, this is probably one of the best ones that was made (Pre-NES that is) and back in the 80's it was easy to see why this was popular. Now, with better quality games of a similar nature this game doesn't seem to pack as much spunk as it once did. The game itself is not bad, it's just repetitive and a bit difficult to control if you're playing it on the Gamecube.

Graphics: 7 (Very Good for 1983 standards, but there are games from that era that are better graphically)
Music: 4 (Decent quality, but repetitive in nature)
Story: 7 (I love the idea behind the game...it probably would've been better just to wait a few more years before executing it, like around the SNES/Genesis era)
Gameplay: 6 (Controls take some time to adapt to on a Gamecube controller, but it functions well enough once you do)
Replay Factor: 5 (The game can get repetitive at times and personally I find it kinda "meh". I know that there are better games out there that are more interesting than this, but it's still worth playing every now and then...if nothing else than for nostalgia)

FINAL GRADE: 5.9/C+ (Might be worth playing if you can find the actual arcade version or if you're curious...but there are better games of the type out there)


This is the final Video Game review of this cycle, the next one is tentatively scheduled for 1/15/2011. Also, since next week I will be out of town for Christmas, the next (regular) movie review will be on New Year's Day when I review the Dark Knight.