Ever since I can remember, my family had a Colecovision. And it was glorious. I spent many an hour playing the classics: Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Zaxxon, Mouse Trap, Lady Bug, Mr. Do, Frogger, Carnival, Looping, and Omega Race. We even had Turbo, complete with broken steering wheel. I’m not sure why it broke but I’m pretty sure I had something to do with it. Given the time frame that the Coleco came out (1982 to 1984), as Bob (of wqoq.com fame) would tell me, “Kent, you would have still been in diapers back then.” So, yeah, I’m pretty sure I broke it. I’ll have to ask my parents about it, though.
I’d like to get more in depth about each of the games I listed, but due to time constraints*, I must focus on the most glorious of them all, and dare I say, the best game ever? **
That’s right, Smurfs: Rescue in Gargamel’s Castle
You are Generic Smurf. Smurfette has been kidnapped by Gargamel, who plans to turn her into gold or make a nice stew out of her (His goals are never really clear). You must brave the way across pathways, meadows, and caves (and then meadows and pathways again***) until you reach Gargamel’s castle, where presumably Gargamel took here. Along the way you will encounter your mortal enemies, the fence and blades of grass. Use your jump and double jump to clear these perilous obstacles. There’s also stalagmites and deadly meadow cliffs.
If you choose a harder difficulty setting (all Colecovision games go from 1 to 5 and 6 to 10 for multiplayer), there’s also hawks and bats that you have to duck under and spiders to jump over. However, hardcore players play level 1. The fence is the true challenge.
At the end of your journey, you’ll reach Gargamel’s Castle. Smurfette is trapped on top of a crate. Not in a cage or anything mind you, but trapped nonetheless. Double jump onto the skull conveniently located next to the crate and then jump to Smurfette for 10,000 points.
Then start over from the beginning. Curse that Smurfette, that vile temptress. Even Princess Peach has the decency to not get kidnapped more than once a game.
So there you have it. If you have a Colecovision (who hasn’t?) track this game down. You’ll only be mildly dissapointed.
Also, I’m pretty sure this is the first game with a nude code. You guys will have to find one that on your own.
You will also want to check out Smurfs: Paint and Play. Make an animated cartoon with the Smurfs (well, Smurfette, Papa Smurf, and Generic Smurf). Make crudely drawn and record your characters walking around them. This game is notable for having Gargamel in it. For some reason he was in this game but not the one with his name in it.
We need to start a petition to get Colecovision on the Wii virtual console. Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel’s Castle needs to be brought back so that the new generation of gamers can know the abject fear and horror that picket fences impose.****
Later Bloggies
* I’m actually posting this on the Third Day of Kentmas. Last night there was a blackout in my area and since I haven’t yet mastered accessing the Internet directly with my brain, I had to wait until tonight.
** No, I really shouldn’t. In all honesty, it isn’t much of a game. And that’s why I love it.
*** When I play this game, I kinda get the feeling that Gargamel’s Castle is right beside Generic Smurf’s house, and that Generic Smurf has no sense of direction. He just likes to jump over things. Hey Bob, remember the time I jumped over that knee high wall by work. That was classic.
**** Who puts a picket fence in the middle of the road? Wouldn’t you just walk around it?
Finally, a birthday shoutout to my little brother. Happy Cadepril Fools, Cade!
Tags: Video Games