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To enjoy Spy Hunter,
the 1983 arcade classic ported to the NES, it helps to meet a few
requirements:
One: A
love for fast cars, that also are known to shoot rockets from their
grill, a la James Bond.
Two: A practically illegal lust for the Peter Gunn theme.
Three: Something to prove, and the belief that a high score
in an outdated NES game will fill this gaping need.
I never fully
understood the backstory to Spy Hunter. Some claim that you are an
elite hunter of spies, chasing them down on the road and sending them
to a fiery demise, in the spirit of Mad Max. Others claim that
YOU are the spy, being hunted by a number of fast-drivin' spy hunters.
The latter certainly seems the most likely, as the game has you driving
your armed spy car as fast as you can, while being pursued relentlessly
by other vehicles. Luckily, the story in games like this doesn't matter
a slice, and if you insist that it does, you can eat it.
Spy
Hunter hearkens back to simple arcade beat-your-score challenges
of yesteryear. You pilot a speeding Ferrari down highways that
scroll from the top of the screen to the bottom. Along the way,
you will be accosted by armored cars, bullet shooting cars, and
tire-popping spiked cars. They have to die, and points are your
reward. Your point tally increases more rapidly the faster you
go, which is accomplished by moving your car up closer to the
top of the screen. This, of course, means that your reaction time
is cut shorter, and you must be on guard for road curves, hazards,
and traffic. One hit at high speed makes your car kablooey. You
must also watch out for the innocent cars, which temporarily suspend
your ability to gain points if you toast them. |
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In an effort to
link all of the reviews of this site together, you could make pretty
easy comparisons between this game and the
fighter-flying 1942.
Both are vertical shooters. Spy Hunter, however, narrows the area
that your bad guys can come at you from to the strip of road, but
also introduces environment hazards that call upon those quick reaction
times gamers have. You can also run across trucks that you can drive
into the back of, and receive a weapon for your troubles. Smoke screens
and rockets do wonders for satisfying road rage. The track itself
will never change, just simply loop forever, alternating between one
and two lane roads. If you can keep going for long enough though,
your spy car will transform into a spy boat, and you'll continue the
chase over water for a brief section. Now that's variety, baby.
Suck on
this aftermarket mod, riceboys.
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Spy
Hunter scrolls quickly, even on the NES, and this is obviously
very important. The action is kept fast and harrowing. The other
graphical elements are simplistic, but clear. There is a reasonable
variety in the cars and vehicles you will encounter, from trucks
to motorcycles, and even a machine gunning attack chopper. The
effects of the freeway battles are also well done. It's rather
rewarding to shoot out the back end of a car, or sideswipe one
into the trees. Explosions are notably lacking, however, which
is disappointing as they are frequent. As for sounds, well, I
hope you like Peter Gunn, because the classic spy theme
is present throughout the game. I consider this a welcome addition,
as it only plays at the beginning and demise of a run, keeping
the actual driving music-free. The sound effects as you drive
are quite capable for the NES, and you'll never question the screeching
tires or chattering of gunfire. The controls could be slightly
more responsive, but that could simply be because I'm trying to
make up excuses for getting frapped while rocketing ahead at top
speed. |
As a typical high-score
game, Spy Hunter never really ends. You will drive your wheels until
you die thrice, after which your final score is presented. It still
can offer quite a bit of fun, and certainly a lot of challenge. Definitely
worth trying once if you've never played it before. You may not keep
it, but you'll probably enjoy the experience.
-reviewed 12/24/03 - game copyright 1987 Sunsoft
Fast cars, fast guns, fast women
Could have used stages and different
environments beyond the spy boat section.
Spy Hunter on MobyGames
Gameplay video at NESGuide
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