BreakThru (NES)

BreakThru was originally an arcade release by Data East in 1986. I don't believe the arcade version was ever officially released in the U.S. but the NES conversion came along about a year later. This game fits into the sub-genre of side-scrolling vehicle shooter games. It reminds me a bit of a cross between Silkworm and Jackal.

Your goal in this game is to recapture a stolen jet fighter. There are five levels to overcome and obstacles include enemy soldiers, other ground vehicles, aircraft, mines, rockets and even falling rocks. Of course your vehicle has its own weapons and also the ability to jump which is useful for overcoming certain obstacles (e.g. rock slides).

This isn't the greatest game in the world but it is an okay diversion if you are looking for a new old game to play. In addition to the NES, it was also released for the Commodore 64 at the same time. Less than two years ago it was also re-released as Johnny Turbo's Arcade: Break Thru on the Nintendo Switch. I think this is the arcade version of the game. Other than the Switch release, I don't believe there have been any other re-releases.

If you are looking for an original copy, the cartridge is available on eBay for pretty reasonable prices. Otherwise, emulation works well also.

Computer Video Games (December 1990)

Computer + Video Games (December 1990): Computer & Video Games had a few slight name variations over the years (Computer + Video Games here) but it was the longest continuously published video game magazine that I am aware of. It covered both consoles and computers though coverage seemed to be heavier on the computer side, particularly during the 80s (though I suppose there was more to cover). The December 1990 issue includes:

Triga Command Joystick

This ad is from the Fall 1983 issue of Video & Arcade Games. It is for a joystick called “Triga Command” by Electra Concepts Corp. Before running across this ad I had never heard of this particular joystick or the company. It appears that their claim to fame (or at least what is being touted in the ad) is making the single button a trigger button on the stick instead of a button pressed by your thumb on the base as most joysticks were designed during this time period.

The ad advertises compatibility with the Atari 400 & 800 computers, Commodore VIC-20, Atari 2600, and Sears Tele-Games (same as the 2600). Of course, having the 9-pin Atari style connector means that it would also work with the Commodore 64 and any other computer or video game system that used the Atari style joystick.

Given I’ve never heard of the company, the novel feature of a trigger button and a clever (or annoying) name were not enough to launch a successful business.

Arabian (Arcade)

This ad for the Arabian arcade game released in 1983 by Atari is one of the more cringeworthy game ads I've seen. Eric Ginner, a high-score record holder on multiple games gives a...testimony for lack of a better word - on how great Arabian is. No doubt it was scripted by Atari.

Arabian is a platform game that takes the form of an Arabian Nights style story book. There are four pages/chapters/levels which include on board a ship, a maze of caves, on castle walls, and in a castle tower. The end goal is to rescue a princess. Sound familiar? Game play features walking, jumping, climbing (including clinging to vines), crawling and flying along on flying carpets. Your primary attack is a kick. Kicking multiple enemies at once gives you a bonus. A level is completed by collecting all the jugs with letters on them. Picking them up in the correct order so that ARABIAN is spelled results in a bonus. Once completed the princess is rescued and the next level begins.

Arabian wasn't a that great of a game and it wasn't very popular either. Game play was pretty simplistic, not very polished and not that consistent from level to level. The sound and graphics were okay but not particularly impressive. There was an NES port in 1985 but that was the only port. It was a pretty good conversion but given that it wasn't a great game to begin with, that isn't saying much. It wasn't very popular either. If you do want to play this one, you'll have to hunt down an original arcade game (or NES cartridge) or resort to emulation. You'll likely get tired of it pretty quickly so emulation is probably good enough.

The ad above is from the July 1983 issue of Electronic Games. Screen shots are from the arcade version of the game.

Electronic Games, Winter 1981

Electronic Games, Issue Number 1, Winter 1981

Electronic Games was really the grandfather of video game magazines. Unfortunately it was not long lived as it was introduced shortly before the video game crash of that era. It lived on for a brief while afterwards as Computer Entertainment. This is the first issue from 1981 and includes:

• Switch On! - An introduction to this brand new magazine.


• Readers Replay - Mostly readers writing in about how excited about the new magazine. You might be wondering how given that this is the first issue. However, this magazine actually started as a column in Video Magazine which was a magazine for home video enthusiasts.


• Inside Gaming - David Crane gives us an inside look at the making of Freeway.


• Electronic Games Hotline - Atari confirms secret messages in Adventure; McDonald's considers developing video terminals for ordering and playing games with Atari; Atari develops 8K cartridge for Asteroids; Red Baron released by Atari to arcades; Mattel to develop Dungeons & Dragons game for Intellivision; and much more.


• Holiday Gift Giving for Gamers - Some of the items in this holiday gift guide include the Casio CA-90 watch, a satin Space Invaders jacket, the handheld electronic game Merlin, Pocket Simon, Head-to-Head Boxing from Coleco, Alien Invaders/Galaxian mini-arcade, Electronic Detective (sort of an electronic version of Clue), Lexor (an electronic scrabble game), and more.


• Test Lab - A detailed look at Tandy's new Color Computer.






• Q&A - Questions answered about videogames damaging TVs, docking in Atari's Star Raiders, and cassette games on Atari computers.


• Strategy Session - How to get high scores in Space Invaders and Breakout.


• Feature: Can Asteroids Conquer Space Invaders? - Asteroids appears poised to replace Space Invaders as the number one arcade game. This is deatiled look at the history of both games.


• What's Next - A look at what's coming soon in electronic gaming. Some of the items here include a remote controlled VCS, Ice Hockey, Stampede, Fishing Derby, UFO, Alien Invaders, Quest for the Rings, and more.


• Special Section: Player's Guide to Programmable Videogames - A guide to the best current videogames plus a look at the available videogame systems including the Atari VCS, the Fairchild Channel F, the Odyssey2, the Intellivision, and more.


• Programmable Parade - Reviews of the latest games including Quest for the Rings, Missile Command, Kaboom, Auto Racing, UFO, Tennis, Air-Sea Battle, Breakout, Boxing, Alien Invaders - Plus!, Space Battle, and Video Whizball.


• Computer Playland - Reviews of some of the latest computer games including Star Raiders (Atari 400/800), Bowling (Atari 400/800), House of Usher, (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Pet, TRS-80), Beneath the Pyramid (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Pet, TRS-80), Sands of Mars (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Pet, TRS-80), Nominoes Jigsaw (Apple II, Atari 400/800, TRS-80), Space Chase (Atari 400/800), War at Sea (Atari 400/800), Alien Rain (Apple II), Asteroids Field (Apple II), Mystery Fun House (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Sorceror, TRS-80), Empire of the Over-Mind (Apple II, Atari 800, Pet, TRS-80), Dino Wars (TRS-80 Color Computer), and more.


• Insert Coin Here - A look at what's new in arcades including Pleiades, Space Odyssey, Venture, and Warlords.


• Stand-Alone Scene - A look at some standalone electronic games including Dark Tower, Bank Shot, Alien Attack, Bowlatronic, and Wildfire.


• Own Your Own Arcade Game - A look at the used arcade machine market including some current prices.


• Touchdown! - An overview of available football videogames. Some titles looked at here include Atari's Football, Intellivision's NFL Football, Football for the Odyssey2, various standalone games, and more.


• Attack of the Chess Robots - A look at standalone electronic chess games.


• Arcade Spotlight - A look at the Brodway Arcade Amusement Center in New York City.

...and more!